Paradise for nature lovers. Review on Imphal

Hi..First of all I would like to point out that Imphal is the capital of Manipur State & it should not be coming under the Nagaland state's link as given in mouthshut.com.

Friends when it comes to North Eastern [NE] India all of us err.I am sure most of us would be blissfully ignorant about NE states. Well I had an opportunity to visit Manipur in 2003 & the memories etched in my mind are there forever.

I landed up in manipur on being invited by a friend cum member of People for Animals [PFA],an association founded by Smt. Maneka Gandhi.On reaching there I found It to be a total different place with natural beauty at its best.Be it misty mountains or lush jungles or pristine springs.

The way from mumbai to manipur is really long.If by train, then from Dadar u get Dadar-Guwahati express which takes 3 days to reach guwahati passing thru 6 states & a distance of almost 3000 Kms.A word of caution PLEASE PLEASE DISTRUST ANYBODY IN THE TRAIN.DO NOT EAT OR DRINK FROM ANY CO-PASSENGER AS I HAD MISFORTUNE OF DOING SO & ENDED UP IN DRUGGED STATE & GOT LOOTED BY A FAMILY .Its an altogether different story.

From Guwahati there is bus services to imphal via bus,travel time is around 14-16 hrs. The way from Guwahati to Imphal is stunning the way winds thru misty mountains of Nagaland -Kohima,Dimapur being the main attraction.At Chaklabandu in night,in Assam we get the oppourtunity to taste a NE dinner.I would recommend for non veggies to go for chicken rice plate.But be ready for a totally diff experience,the curry is fantabulous & the various gravies & chutney is mind-blowing & totally unseen in rest of india.

Now in Imphal there are many place to visit,the hockey stadium where national games were held.The Kaublong Chou National park where a rare species of deer is seen which according to locals is not present anywhere else in world.The Taubal Village where one gets to see the real rugged NE.The kangla fort now infamous for an unfortunate incident.The Imphal local market,where u get exotic items,the Burma Baazar where u get quality cheap foregin goods.

There are good hotels where u can put.The people are very friendly,though for some of us food might be a problem since mostly NE is a place which is famous for non veg foodies & everything here is boiled & eaten,withbland taste & not fried.The customs are typically western,with people readily giving u a smile when u walk on the streets & let me assure its as safe & sound as walking on mumbai road.Only difference would be everything closes by 7.30 & starts as early as 5.00 am since sunrise & sunset are early in this part of world.

While going back to Guwahati one should take the earliest bus around 9.30 or 10.00 Am since then u would get the opportunity of seeing beautiful mountanious Nagaland in daylight.In the afternoon as the bus trudge along the winding road into the mountains we pass thru cloud like mist.It a lifetime experience.There is always a slight drizzle & u can see the beautiful naga ladies & girls walking down the road with backs laden with logs & small homes along the road where children play & women folk doing their daily chores with a affectionate smile.

Let me tell u I fell in love with Manipur in particular & northeast.I think instead of planning honeymoons or vacations or pleasure trips to the most ubiquitous places one should go & spend some days in northeast I was there in manipur for 15 days.I would suggest a better way for coming going to manipur.Once Guwahati is reached,take Sealdha express to Howarh-Calcutta & from Calcutta take Howarh-Mumbai express which saves a lot of time.Anybody who is interested to know more can write to me at pravinmenon@yahoo.com.